Marina Review for Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

We loved this place. Brady and the rest of his team are really great people. And "The Hut" lounge area is one of the coolest, funkiest places to hang out on the planet. We had our boat pulled here and, like mentioned below, they loaded and trucked us over to J&R (a related storage/repair facility belonging to the same family) since they were full. The directions in seem really complicated and a bit intimidating, and the lock was really weird (pull up to the dock you see in front of the lock and pull the chain to open it, then follow instructions) but we had no problems at all. We highly recommend this place.

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Marina Review for The Pass-A-Grille Marina

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This is a FUNKY little marina. Communication was VERY poor and confusing coming in. They ended up putting us between two outlying pylons that proved very difficult to angle into, that only left us a precarious step off at the port stern of the boat onto the dock. Very poor set-up. But it was very cheap so we made do. Very limited facilities (shower is a PVC pipe outdoors at the fish-cleaning station, etc.). BUT - it's within 1 block of some of the best beaches in Florida (St. Pete) and the neighborhood surrounding it is awesome. Lots of GREAT restaurants, Circle K, laundromat, etc. So I'd give the marina itself 1 star, but the location is easily worth the pain. And the price is definitely right.

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Anchorage Review for Redfish Point

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

A very nice anchorage. We actually came in around 0200 and had to follow the chart and depth gauge only. You can get in pretty close to shore so great protection. You do have jets flying over in the mornings, but that's pretty typical of the whole town. Great spot.

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Marina Review for Palafox Pier Yacht Harbor

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a fantastic marina. Great information from Jeff the harbormaster as we were coming in. He met us at the fuel dock, then met us again at our slip to help with lines. The marina is very well protected and right in the middle of downtown Pensacola - which is awesome. Lots of restaurants, beautiful streets, etc. HIGHLY recommend this place.

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Anchorage Review for Cat Island - Little Bend Bight

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 18, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Holding was good, but you're pretty far away from the shore, so you get some wave action if there is wind if it's not pure SE. Not the best anchorage, but not bad.

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Lock comment on Algiers Lock

Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

When transiting these locks, pay close attention to the curfew times of the bridges. It's very easy to get "trapped" on one end or the other. And we found that no one will even respond to you on VHF during these times. And don't forget to check in with Traffic when you enter the river.

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Lock comment on Harvey Lock

Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

When transiting these locks, pay close attention to the curfew times of the bridges. It's very easy to get "trapped" on one end or the other. And we found that no one will even respond to you on VHF during these times. And don't forget to check in with Traffic when you enter the river.

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Lock comment on Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (Industrial) Lock

Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

When transiting these locks, pay close attention to the curfew times of the bridges. It's very easy to get "trapped" on one end or the other. And we found that no one will even respond to you on VHF during these times.

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Marina Review for Seabrook Harbor & Marine

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

We stayed here for 4 days and generally enjoyed it (LOVED New Orleans!!). The communication on the way in was not real clear, but we managed. Overall it's a pretty nice marina with nice bath/shower and laundry. Service was good and people were generally great. Pumpout was broken so we had to go next door. It's also pretty remote. Nothing in walking distance. So be prepared to pay for rides.

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Bridge comment on Danziger (U.S. 90/Chef Menteur Hwy.) Bridge

Comment by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'

We got caught at this bridge heading north from the river because we forgot to call ahead. We had to circle for 2 hours. Entering and exiting the Mississippi with all these locks and bridges can be overwhelming. We have iNavX with the WG integration (thanks WG) - we just missed this piece of info. So make sure to pay attention to details like this!

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Anchorage Review for Mermentau G1A

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

This anchorage will obviously be somewhat exposed in southeasterly winds. But it's a nice, wide-open spot with great holding and a beautiful view. You will get some small wakes from small fishing boats going by in the channel, but we had no problems at all. We recommend it.

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Anchorage Review for Calcasieu River Oxbow

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

We had tried to get into the Choupique anchorage shown to the south but it was shoaled and inaccessible. I'm glad we came here. It's really a beautiful spot - despite the gas plants to either side. Great anchorage.

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Marina Review for Downtown Marina of Houma

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

This is not really a marina in the true sense of the word. It's really more of an overnight tie-up along the dock. It's also very shallow, so larger boats can only tie up at the end of the dock which puts you in direct line of the wakes from the ICW. However, it's really a beautiful spot and you have a lot of amenities within walking distance of a few blocks. Ray was great in terms of communication, and water and power was available. So not a bad spot.

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Marina Review for Shell Morgan Landing Inc.

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 3

You can't get much more minimal than this and still call it a marina. It's really more a fuel dock with a couple of spots to tie up along a very rough bulkhead. But it's not a bad spot to stop for the night, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. We had a polarity problem with the 50 amp service, so had to use a single 30 amp. It's very susceptible to wakes, of which there are a lot. So make sure to use plenty of fenders. Great store nearby.

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Marina Review for Sabine Pass Port Authority Marina

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

We had our boat at this marina for a year following an engine failure. The people here are just tremendous. I can't stress that enough. The marina itself is a bit sparse, but very well-tended and nice. Restrooms, laundry, ice - and even a great bait shop near the east pavilion and fishing area (find David). It's a bit remote, with only a convenience store within walking distance. However, you can't beat the security of this place. Overall, we really enjoyed our time here and recommend it.

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Marina Review for Galveston Yacht Marina

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 2

We stayed here overnight in 2015 before heading off on a long trip from our previous base in Kemah. It was expensive (we paid $2/ft/night) and we were disappointed with the poor amenities. Our transient dock isolated us in the middle of the marina, restrooms/showers were very poor quality, etc. Not a place I'd recommend.

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Marina Review for Watergate Yachting Center

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 17, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

We kept our boat at this marina for 2 years. It's one of the best marinas I've ever been in. The facilities and onsite amenities are outstanding. It's sheltered but still provides quick access to the Bay and it was surprisingly affordable. West Marine and Home Depot are within a 5 minute drive, and lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants are nearby. You also have the Kemah Boardwalk just down the road for the kids.

We highly recommend this marina.

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Marina Review for Safe Harbor Burnt Store

Reviewed by: Smackdaddy on Aug 16, 2016
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 40'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

This is a fantastic marina. One of the most beautiful, full-featured, and reasonably priced we've stayed in. Really nice restaurant and bar, convenience store/deli, 2 pool/rec-areas with laundry, etc. The WiFi was indeed spotty, but that was one of the few downsides.

We highly recommend this one.

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